I am an owner of 2011 Hyundai Grandeur (2012 Azera in the US) in Korea. Recently, a significant gas fume problem has been discovered, that is, the gas fume enters the cabin through the trunk space. If a car is driven for several hours at high speed (like 70~80mph), which is a common driving situation using highways in the US, then CO level can go up to 30~40ppm, which could be a significant danger to health. I hope American version fixes this problem, but Hyundai still does not want to recall Grandeur in Korea (what Hyundai is currently doing is providing a temporary solution, which is closing all the holes in the bottom and inside of the rear bumper using plastic stickers and sealant). This is a link to the news article regarding this problem in Korea (I hope you can read Korean ;-):

Hyundai has had 6 years to break into that middle class, baby boomer market and it hasn't happened yet. It's a great car, but gets no marketing and is pretty much a stealth car - I may see another Azera once a month or so. IMO, the Sonata will continue to get the marketing and the big sales numbers.....although Azera does have a chance to pick up sales of customers who must have a V6, since Sonata no longer offers one.

On the weight, my guess is that's a "world" weight range and allows for powertrains that aren't going to be offered in the US. Then there are options like the sunroof.

I checked the Sonata's specs & Hyundai's shows it weighing anywhere from 3161 (GLS w/MT) to 3452 (2.0T w/AT and I presume gobs of features).

WRT to cobrazera's marketing concerns, now that Hyundai is more established & moving up the ranks in the US, perhaps they'll spread some marketing money to the new Azera. I'm sure they will at least when they new car is released to dealers, but after that IDK. After all there's only so much to go around & they offer 6 sedans: Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Azera, Genesis, and Equus. There's a lot of overlap as you move from car to car.

The current generation Azera is a nice car. Hyundai spent the last few years upgrading every model, so this new Azera might be the one that knocks the door down on a lucrative class that includes the Toyota Camry XLE V6, Honda Accord EX-L V6, and Buick Lacrosse CXS.

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After seeing this image, it appears much of the 220 lb spread in the 2012 model's curb weight goes into the huge glass roof.

wrong class Azera is classed as a LARGE sedan; those you mentioned are mid sized offerings only a few Large sedans in the US that aren't lux Chevy Impala, Toy Avalon, and big Caddy....there's the usual Euro?Asian suspects that still make Large sedans ...M-B, Audi, VW, Jag, RR, Bentley, Porsche ,Lexus, Infiniti

Most people shop by market class such as "Family-size sedans", not EPA-size class. The Sonota and Elantra are technically mid-size and large respectively but their market-classes are compact and mid-size.

Models are cross-shopped all the time. A bit more definitive is Luxury vs Mainstream and even those models are cross-shopped a la ES350 versus a loaded Camry XLE V6. Just as an Azera will compete will a loaded Sonota Turbo.

The Azera has the size and weight (and hopefully price) to land the middle-class baby boomers that want a full-size, refined sedan.

It's hard to imagine anyone trying to decide between a Sonata turbo and an Azera. Totally different focus on those two cars. One a somewhat coarse midsize performance sedan with a turbo 4, and the other a refined 6 cylinder touring car.

BTW, my son has a Sonata turbo and the advertised horses are just not there unless premium gas is used - it does return over 35 MPG highway on regular gas, though.

I was using a high end Sonata and the Azera as examples. I'm certain some will cross shop them but I see your point.

A friend of mine bought a Lexus ES350 with the two other models considered being Toyotas, a Camry XLE V6 and an Avalon.

Your observation regarding the Sonata Turbo are similar to my thoughts. The Azera is more my speed and when I saw the curb weight of the new Azera - I was surprised in a good way. It should drive and feel like a substantial vehicle.

In regard to Sonata Turbos requiring premium gas to attain the advertised horses.......with premium gas at $.20 higher than regular, it becomes more of a bargain, percentage wise, as gas prices increase. Some stations around here are starting to charge more than that $.20 for premium, but there are still some where the price is holding. My truck requires 89 octane, it will run fine on 87, but then the power and fuel economy is down - enough so that I use the higher octane stuff.The Sonata Turbo will probably return better economy on premium, and if that offsets the added per gallon cost, then the added power becomes a bonus.

A beautiful machine! Had it on a revolving pedestal with the doors open. Couldn't get too close or sit in it, but it is a very sharp looking car. The gentleman that was working the show said they were just starting production and that it would be March before they were available here. Hope they sell a lot of them, I am interested in buying a used one year old one in 2013.

They seem to have raised the price on the Azera significantly. I paid $27500 for my 07 Limited azera with everything in it. Now they want $5k more to start? Oyut of my price range.

I agree if that's true. The current (2011) model starts at $26k and maxes out at $33k. I can't imagine Hyundai raising the price that much on the 2012.

If it is that high, they must be setting up the new 2012 Kia Cadenza closer to the existing Azera's price points. The new Kia (Amanti replacement) will have a 4-cyl option and might be the better way to go.

Got a brochure from Hyundai today in the mail on the '12 Azzy...Looks good,but pricing is high...it's in the Genesis range....I'll keep my '06 Azzy for a while longer.....Maybe new Kia is indeed the answer if it has the v-6 with plenty of horses (290 or more).

Interesting. If they market a fully loaded front wheel drive Azzy Limited with all the new goodies at the price of a base rear wheel drive Genesis it should appeal to people like myself who live in the northern climates.

I really like the Genesis but prefer the front wheel drive ability of my Azera in the snow.